Fools is how Steven Gerrard has described those who have written off Leeds United this season because of their slide from ninth last term to 15th this season.
Very few of the statistics or league table would suggest this campaign has been even close to as good as last term’s return to the top flight.
However, as injuries have ravaged the squad for long spells, the Aston Villa boss has branded anyone prejudging this Leeds side as foolish given the side has dealt with so many injury issues.
“My opinion on Leeds is, as a team and as a squad, they’ve got really talented players, very, very dangerous players," he said.
“They haven’t had the best of luck in terms of injuries, so it’s not fair to judge them too strongly, certainly from where I’m sitting.
“I’ve only really focused very much on Leeds in the last couple of weeks because I knew they were the next fixture.
“Obviously, I was in Scotland up until November, but from the outside I’ve always really enjoyed watching Leeds.
“They’re a very exciting team. They take it to every opposition, they’ve obviously got a world-class manager who’s done a phenomenal job so far, from where he took over to where he’s got them to now."
“They’re getting players returning from injury and I’m sure once they get Kalvin Phillips back and Patrick Bamford, it wouldn’t surprise me if they find a higher level of consistency.
“You’d be a fool to judge them on what’s happened so far. You can only judge what you’re going to come up against and these have got very, very dangerous players.
“They showed that in the last away fixture against West Ham. Really strong on the counter-attack, they’ve got goals in the team and they’ve got people returning from injury.
“We’ll certainly respect this challenge in front of us.”
Gerrard could not hide his respect and admiration for Marcelo Bielsa’s career either.
Asked if he was a fan of the Argentine, he said: “How can you not be? To have the career he’s had. I’d love to get inside and know a lot more. It is a fascinating one.
“The Leeds players are living the dream to have the opportunity to play and compete in his style.
“Maybe that won’t be appreciated until he’s gone, but he’s certainly someone that all the coaches here have got immense respect for.
“To go and compete against him tomorrow is certainly something I’m very much looking forward to.”
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